Raised in a mean urban area where death was a constant companion, John Irons resolved to use his talents as a Football
player to earn a better life for himself and his family.

In high school, Irons developed an appreciation for science as a means to enhance his techniques on the football field.
With his combination of athleticism and academics he received a full scholarship to college.

While at college his younger brother Clay was killed in a drive-by shooting while he was working at the neighborhood
grocery. His parents had died years earlier in an auto accident, so he forewent grad school and got a job working in a
munitions factory to support his extended family.

It was while at the munitions factory, Ameretek that he first began to develop the ideas for his armor system. Renting
a workshop he developed his first prototype.

An unfortunate turn of events with his employer ended in his workshop being destroyed and Irons was presumed dead.

Under an assumed name, Irons moved to Metropolis and worked as a high-rise construction worker. Attempting to save a friend
and fellow worker from a deadly fall, Irons was in turn saved by Superman.

Days later Superman was apparently killed by the alien Doomsday. Resolving to honor the slain hero Irons completed his
armor and dedicated himself to serving the community as Steel.